Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Right One Near Payson Arizona
It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Payson AZ in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Naturally the initial step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. Many future students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are critical factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation should be considered also. You may also choose to look into some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Pharmacy Technician Job Description
Pharmacy techs have numerous job duties, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Payson AZ pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:
- Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
- Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
- Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
- Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory
As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work after hours is a very gratifying career assisting customers with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Payson AZ pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices
It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Payson AZ employers will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online
Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online training program, it's important to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Payson pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to obtain some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Payson AZ home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the right solution for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician colleges to pick from in the Payson AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Payson residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are several other variables that you need to consider in order to properly compare colleges. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Payson AZ pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition may be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Payson AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Payson AZ after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any help. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Payson AZ residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Payson AZ area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Payson
Choose the Best Payson Pharmacy Tech Program
Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech colleges include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to choose a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Payson Arizona.
Payson Pharmacy Tech Schools Online | Payson Pharmacy Technician Certificate